Utley, OSU Swim Club prepare for first meet

Hallie Hart

Club Sports Beat Writer

@hart_hallie_

Step into the Colvin Recreation Center at Oklahoma State on a Tuesday or Thursday evening, and the atmosphere is fun and inviting.

Billy Joel’s “My Life” plays as a group of students talk and gather around the indoor pool before swimming laps. This is the OSU Swim Club, a relatively new organization at the university.

For club president Lucas Utley, swimming has been an influential part of life since childhood.

“I grew up swimming competitively for 10 years, both in club and in high school,” Utley said. “It’s something I’ve been doing since I was 9-years-old.”

In classes at OSU, Utley met Arthur Miranda. They decided to establish their own club sport after realizing that they shared an interest in swimming. Utley and Miranda were only freshmen, but they were persistent in making their dream a reality.

“We started going through the administrative process, and that took almost a whole year, which was pretty discouraging,” Utley said.

The difficulties never stopped them from achieving their goal, though. In November 2015, the swim club gathered for the first time and practice officially began in January 2016. Miranda served as the organization’s first president.

Now, Utley and Miranda are juniors, and the club is quickly gaining popularity.

“We have people who join us for the first time every week,” Miranda said.

The club is ready to make a splash into the world of competitive swimming. Members are practicing for Nov. 12, when the team will go to Rose State for their first meet.

“It will be, of course, friendly competition, but we’re really excited to be able to have something to compete for,” Utley said.

It’s not too late for students to become involved in the program this year. Utley and Miranda encourage people who are interested to stop by the Colvin Center and join the club.

“We’re still always open to new members coming,” Miranda said.

Utley notes the benefits of being involved in the club. He says that it’s a great way to become acquainted with other students on campus, exercise and pursue an activity that many members loved in high school.

“It’s what I’m here for, to further experiences and endeavors in the sport,” Utley said.

The OSU Swim Club meets 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at the indoor pool in the Colvin Recreation Center.